This medal was awarded to British servicemen who took part, alongside the French, in the campaign against China which had been provoked by hostile acts against European nationals. The Royal Navy, under Sir Michael Seymour, destroyed a Chinese flotilla at Fat Shan Creek, preparing the way for the attack on Canton, whose capture brought the first phase of the campaign to an end in 1858. Reinforcements were meanwhile diverted to help put down the Indian Mutiny. Fighting broke out in China again and this time large numbers of troops were involved in the assault on the Taku Forts and the sack of Pekin.

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